Concave Heater Element for Vaporization Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vaporization devices face inefficiencies in heating and capturing fluid streams due to the need for oversized heaters with significant un-wetted surface areas, leading to incomplete vaporization and energy wastage, which can result in the discharge of liquid droplets.

Innovation Solution

A conductive heater element with a concave area, such as open-ended hexahedral, dimpled, or conical shapes, is used to capture and vaporize fluid efficiently, minimizing un-wetted surface area and optimizing heat distribution for rapid vaporization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the heater element is made larger to capture all fluid, then the fluid capture efficiency is improved, but the un-wetted surface area increases causing energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid capture efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss from un-wetted surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heater element employs a concave surface geometry that curves inward to match the impinging fluid stream. This curved surface allows the heater to capture all fluid while the concave shape minimizes the exposed surface area to the environment, thereby reducing energy loss from radiation and convection on the heater's outer surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the heater element is made smaller to reduce mass and energy consumption, then the energy required to heat the heater is reduced, but the fluid capture capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy to heat heater elementVSAvoidfluid capture capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The concave geometry concentrates the heater's heating surface area into a compact volume that matches the fluid stream profile. This allows the heater to be smaller (reducing mass and energy requirements) while still capturing 100% of the fluid through the concave shape's ability to contain the impinging stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If the heater element is made smaller to vaporize fluid rapidly, then the vaporization speed is improved, but the fluid capture area is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaporization speedVSAvoidfluid capture area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The concave surface geometry allows the heater to maintain a compact size for rapid heating while the curved shape extends the capture area to match the fluid stream. This enables fast vaporization rates without sacrificing fluid capture capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of manufacture

If the heater element surface is made flat to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the fluid stream is not captured efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater element manufacturingVSAvoidfluid stream capture efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The concave geometry is achieved through simple forming processes such as bending or shaping the heater element material into a curved configuration. This curved shape efficiently captures the impinging fluid stream while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing techniques, balancing manufacturability with effective fluid capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The concave heater element design ensures nearly complete vaporization of the fluid stream with reduced energy consumption and minimized liquid droplet discharge, enhancing the performance and safety of vaporization devices.

Implementation Method 1

The heater element is activated during fluid ejection in order to vaporizes substantially all of the fluid ejected onto the heater element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

A conductive heater element with a concave area is used to capture and vaporize fluid efficiently, minimizing un-wetted surface area and optimizing heat distribution for rapid vaporization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The concave area of the heating element has a cavity volume that is at least sufficient to retain an entire volume of liquid to be vaporized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20180132527A1Heater element for a vaporization device

Publication Date: 2018.05.17 BRADY WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

A heater element for a vaporizing device, a vaporizing device containing the heater element, and a method for vaporizing fluid ejected by an ejection head. The heater element includes a conductive material having a concave area. The concave area of the heater element captures and vaporizes fluid ejected from an ejection head in the vaporization device. The concave area of the heating element has a cavity volume that is at least sufficient to retain an entire volume of liquid to be vaporized.